தமிழகச் சூழலில் ஏற்பட்டுள்ள மாறுதல்கள் காரணமாக, மோடி ஆட்சியின் `செல்லாக் காசு` அறிவிப்பை எதிர்த்து 12-12-2016 திங்கள் காலை வள்ளுவர் கோட்டத்தில் நடத்தத் திட்டமிட்டிருந்த கண்டன ஆர்ப்பாட்டம், 19-12 2016 திங்கள் அன்று நிகழவுள்ளதாக கழகம் அறிவித்துள்ளதை அறியத் தருகின்றோம்.
NPC's resolution against Buddhist temples not valid:Lanka govt
Press Trust of India | Colombo
December 8, 2016 Last Updated at 18:42 IST
Sri Lankan government today said that a recent resolution adopted by the Northern Provincial Council prohibiting the construction of Buddhist temples in the Tamil-dominated North will have no legal standing.
Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe told Parliament that there were no constitutional provisions for provincial councils to introduce such resolutions and that the government would in no way accept such a resolution. The Northern Provincial Council (NPC) controlled by the Tamil National Alliance has been expressing opposition to erection of Buddhist religious sites by the military in the north since the war with the LTTE ended in 2009. Tamil Hindus dominate the region.
The NPC Chief Minister CV Wigneswaran took exception to the move by publicly raising opposition.
The extreme Buddhist nationalist groups blamed the government of the President Maithripala Sirisena for not safeguarding the Buddhist religious sites in the former conflict zones in its desire to achieve reconciliation with the Tamil minority.
It was only this week that Sirisena said he was to appoint an all religious steering committee to defuse potential religious unrest created by certain extremist elements representing all religions.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
====================== Muslim Ministers demand arrest of aggressive monk
December 8, 2016 14:06
Rishard Muslim Ministers today demanded the arrest of a Buddhist monk who had disrespected Islam.
Minister Rishad Bathiudeen told Parliament that a police complaint was filed against the monk.
However he said the monk continues to be part of discussions being held by the Government with no legal action being taken against him.
State Minister M. L. A. M. Hizbullah also questioned what action will be taken against the monk.
He said that a joint letter by Muslim Parliamentarians raising concerns over threats being faced by Muslims in the country was sent to the President and Prime Minister.
He said the Bodu Bala Sena continues to make statements disrespectful to Islam and action must be taken against them.
Hizbullah also warned that Muslim leaders will not be able to control Muslim youth if Islam continues to be disrespected in the country.
Buddha Sasana Affairs and Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that the Government is looking to resolve the recent issues through dialogue.
He said that President Maithripala Sirisena had a discussion with religious leaders this week in an attempt to ensure religious unity.
Rajapakshe said that when an attempt is being made to resolve the issue, representatives of the public must support such attempts.
He accused some Muslim Ministers of attempting to incite more racial hatred instead of attempting to resolve the issue. (Colombo Gazette)
===================
Minister visit Batticaloa to discuss and settle the religious dispute
Thursday, December 8, 2016 - 16:00
Sandasen MARASINGHEDisna Mudalige and Ishara Mudugamuwa
Buddha Sasana and Justice Minister Dr. Wijayadasa Rajapaksa said he would visit Batticaloa to discuss and settle the religious dispute that has been cropped up in the area.
He made this comment in response to a question raised by TNA MP S. Viyalendran during the committee stage of the debate of ‘Budget 2017’ in Parliament today.
The TNA MP asked the Justice Minister why the government was not taking action against Ampitiye Sumanarathana Thera of Sri Mangalarama Viharaya in Batticaloa, for his recent abusive remarks against the Tamils and Muslims.
The Minister had replied that he was aware of the incident and that he regretted its occurrence: “It is not that we cannot implement the law strictly against such acts.
But knowing the sensitivity of these issues, we are trying our best to iron out any mistrust between the communities through negotiation,” the Justice Minister said.
“We will come there and I invite you all to be there as well. Do not misunderstand. We are worried as much as you all about these incidents that damage the national unity.
However, we act with restraint to make sure that these problems do not propagate,” he told the TNA MP.
The Minister in his speech also said the four ministers holding portfolios relevant to religion were sitting as a committee to discuss about the recent religious tensions in the country: “We have been meeting all the religious leaders with the President in the chair and we will come up shortly with a suitable mechanism deal with these issues, ” he said.
The government is committed to solve the National Debt crisis
Thursday, December 8, 2016 - 01:00
Amali Mallawaarachchi
The government is committed to solve the National Debt crisis within this decade, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.
The Prime Minister was speaking at an awards ceremony to present appointment letters to 124 Assistant Customs Superintendents at the Sri Lanka Customs yesterday.
The 124 Assistant Customs Superintendents were selected from 13,405 applicants who faced an open/limited competitive examination and a structured interview.
“We are dedicated to solve the National Debt Crisis, without letting this issue be carried into the next generation. We should not let our children be burdened with an unresolved National Debt. If a country is unable to pay its debts, that indicates the country is at a crisis. Sri Lanka unfortunately fell into this crisis since for a decade our expenditure outgrew our national income,” the Prime Minister said.
“Taxes were not properly collected. The whole country was at a tax-cessation. Some companies are cherishing a 30 years tax-holiday. They have not paid a penny as taxes. Thus it is not a wonder.Even a post-war economy, was not able to pay its National Debt,at least its recurrent expenditure. This debt crisis is what triggered the 2015 Presidential Election.
The fear was that the debt crisis would keep growing and the plan was to increase taxes following the election,” the Premier revealed. “However, President Maithripala Sirisena’s government is focused on not allowing this National Debt Crisis to burden the next generation. We are planing to increase the economic growth rate and the GDP growth rate up to 7%, for which increase of taxation is important. This process will ultimately end the National Debt Crisis. As the budget for 2017 is brought forth, we have now achieved a condition where we are able to recoup our expenditure except capital expenditure. Our next target is to be able to settle our National Debt.The budget deficit for the year 2015 reached 6.5 percent of the GDP. Our aim is to make it 3.5 percent by 2020. The battle is to increase our national income in which the Customs is at the fore front,” the PM pointed out.
“For swift economic development, direct foreign investments are the key. We have started it with investment projects in Hambantota, Kalutara and Trincomalee. If more investments are to be attracted, we need to prove our economic stability and our tax reliefs and other facilities, we provide for the investors. We should create a conducive environment, especially at the airports and the ports, to ease the import export process,” the Premier pointed out.
